Comeback win ends Kansas-Mizzou rivalry

Comeback win ends Kansas-Mizzou rivalry

1of2Thomas Robinson celebrates and gets a little help from his friends after Kansas' win over Missouri.Photo: Rich Sugg

2of2Texas coach Rick Barnes looks on from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, in East Lansing, Mich. Texas won 67-55. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)Photo: Al Goldis

Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson made it a memorable ending for Kansas.

Robinson kept the game going with a three-point play in the closing seconds of regulation, and Taylor's two free throws with 8.3 seconds left in overtime gave the fourth-ranked Jayhawks an 87-86 win over No. 3 Missouri on Saturday in their final scheduled regular-season matchup.

The Tigers, who blew a 19-point second-half lead, never got a potential winning shot off in the final seconds. Michael Dixon was boxed in by Robinson as he tried to get to the basket, and the buzzer eventually sounded on a 105-year-old rivalry steeped in tradition.

"Just the fact this one went to overtime, every play is so big," Missouri's Marcus Denmon said. "We had ample opportunities to close this game, and we couldn't do it."

Robinson finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for Kansas (24-5, 14-2), which wrapped up at least a share of its eighth straight Big 12 title. Taylor added 24 points, seven in overtime.

Denmon had 28 points to lead Missouri (25-4, 12-4), which heads off to the Southeastern Conference next season. Ricardo Ratliffe finished with 22 points, Dixon had 17 and Kim English 11.

The Tigers controlled the game early in the second half, but Kansas methodically chopped away.

Robinson took a feed in the post and backed down Dixon, getting the leaner to go as he was undercut for the foul. His free throw with 16.1 seconds left tied the game at 75.

The Tigers had the final possession, clearing the lane for Phil Pressey. But Robinson was there, swatting away his shot to force overtime.

Kansas struck first in the extra session when Taylor curled in a 3-pointer. Denmon's 3-pointer from the wing with 39 seconds remaining gave Missouri an 84-83 lead.

Taylor pushed Kansas back ahead when he dunked off a bounce pass from Elijah Johnson, and Denmon's baseline jumper with 12 seconds left set the stage for high drama.

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